ఆరెపుల్లకు పూరిపుల్ల తోడు

arepullaku puripulla todu

Translation

A dry twig supported by a blade of grass.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is already weak or in a precarious position receives help from someone who is equally weak or insignificant. It highlights that the assistance provided is trivial or insufficient to make a real difference, often used in a sarcastic or self-deprecating context.

Related Phrases

One who seeks merit just by giving tamarind water.

This expression describes a person who is extremely miserly or stingy. It refers to someone who tries to gain credit for being charitable or generous by offering something worthless (like the sour water leftover from soaking tamarind) as if it were a great sacrifice.

Hares wouldn’t be frightened by the noise of palm leaves.

Strong men are not frightened by empty threats by the unworthy. We should develop necessary courage and should not be scared by the trivial.

A male child is a golden twig.

This traditional expression reflects the deep-rooted cultural preference for male children in certain societies, suggesting that a son is as precious and valuable as a piece of gold. It is often used to emphasize the importance of a male heir in a family lineage.

A stick is the husband to a sore

This expression refers to a situation where a harsh or severe remedy is required for a difficult problem. Just as a stick causes sharp pain when it touches a wound, a strict or tough person is sometimes needed to manage or control a troublesome individual or situation.

Why should those who come for a single meal care about the price of large grain measures?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only a temporary guest or has a limited, immediate interest in something, and therefore should not worry about long-term or large-scale complexities that do not affect them. It is often a retort to someone who is interfering in matters beyond their scope or stay.

Like a discarded leaf plate becoming useful on a festival day.

This expression describes a situation where something or someone previously considered useless or neglected suddenly becomes valuable or essential due to specific circumstances. It is often used to highlight a stroke of luck or the unexpected utility of a discarded object/person.

Neighbor's sour curry is tasty.

This expression is used to describe the human tendency to value things belonging to others more than their own, even if their own possessions are of better quality. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'The grass is always greener on the other side'.

When great people are under the feet, what is the fate of a leaf plate?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even highly influential or powerful people are suffering or being crushed, implying that common people or those of lower status stand no chance at all. It highlights total chaos or a hierarchy of suffering.

Sour leaf curry for taste and curry leaves for aroma.

This expression describes something that is complete and perfect because it has the right ingredients in the right proportions. It is often used to refer to a situation or a person that possesses all the necessary qualities to be effective or satisfying, much like how a dish needs both taste and aroma to be considered excellent.

A bit of straw in sherbet.

This expression is used to describe an unnecessary or annoying person or thing that interrupts an otherwise pleasant situation. Panakam is a delicious, smooth traditional sweet drink, and finding a tiny twig or splinter in it ruins the experience.